Stephen O'Donnell believes Dundalk can qualify for Conference League

Stephen O’Donnell believes Dundalk FC can still qualify for the Conference League, but accepts the odds are stacked against a return to the European circuit next season.

A 2-0 win at Sligo Rovers on Friday night, coupled with Bohemians suffering a 2-0 home defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic, and Shelbourne being held to scoreless draw at Derry City leaves The Lilywhites three points off fourth-place in the SSE Airtricity League table.

Victories in their final two fixtures, the first of which is against Bohs at Oriel Park this Friday (kick-off, 7.45pm), could yet yield European qualification, despite O’Donnell giving up on the notion in the aftermath of their recent 1-0 defeat to Shels at Tolka Park.

A win against Bohs, who currently occupy fourth, would need to be followed up with another three points against UCD in Belfield on the final night of the season, on which they would also require a favour from Drogheda United, who host Shels at Weavers Park.

In addition, a superior goal difference/goals scored ratio would need to be maintained on Bohs, who host Cork City at Dalymount Park the same night, Friday, November 3rd.

Dundalk, in theory, could actually move up to fourth this weekend, but only in the event of first defeating Bohs at Oriel, and then hoping relegated UCD overcome Shels at Tolka.

Even in the event of all the aforementioned permutations being achieved, The Lilywhites would still need St Pats to beat Bohs in the FAI Cup final a week after the league finishes.

“There’s still obviously the remainder of this season to play,” said O’Donnell after the 2-0 win over Sligo at The Showgrounds.

“We have two games left. We’re still sort of in there pitching for Europe, for fourth spot.

“We’re three points behind Bohs.

“We play Bohs next week. So that will give you a chance.

“We’re two goals behind them and we’re two points behind Shelbourne with two games left, and obviously the Cup final will dictate a lot.

“There’s two games left and there’s six points available.

“We play one of the teams and, if Shelbourne slip up, we want to be in a position. If we get six points, we’re going to make Shelbourne win their last two games. And obviously then Bohs, if we get six points, we’ll have beaten Bohs next week.

“It still is an outside chance. There’s two games left and we’re behind two teams. So we’re still the outsiders of the three-horse race.”

The performance in Sligo was arguably Dundalk’s best showing on the road this season, with goals in either half from Daryl Horgan and Sam Durrant securing a 2-0 victory.

“I thought there was a lot of good performances,” said O’Donnell. “Cammy Elliot was excellent, done very well for Daryl’s goal, was a constant threat.

“Daryl made great ground getting up, joining in the counter-attack. I thought Ryan O’Kane looked very sharp.”

A full debut was handed to Senan Mullen, fresh from winning two caps with the Republic of Ireland U19s, and O’Donnell was highly impressed with the Cootehill native’s impact.

“Senan Mullen on his debut, I thought was exceptional, brilliant,” enthused the Dundalk head coach.

“What a performance from him all round, composure and then aggression. Not an easy place to come at all, Sligo, and for a young player making his full debut.”